Beşiktaş signature in the national team: three Black Eagles in Turkey’s squad
Turkey’s senior national basketball team will take the floor with a strong Beşiktaş imprint in its latest campaign, as three key players from Beşiktaş GAİN – Yiğit Arslan, Berk İbrahim Uğurlu and Sertaç Şanlı – have been included in the preliminary roster. Their presence not only rewards their club performances, but also underlines how influential Beşiktaş has become in shaping the national team core.
The game that draws all the attention will be played in Belgrade, at the Aleksandar Nikolic Sports Hall, with tip-off scheduled for 21:00 Turkish time. The clash with Serbia is seen as a major test for both sides in the World Cup Qualifiers, and the setting in one of Europe’s fiercest basketball cities adds another layer of intensity to an already high‑stakes encounter.
Turkey heads into this matchup in excellent form, having won its first two games in Group C. The national team opened the group stage by rolling past Bosnia and Herzegovina with a commanding 93-71 victory. They then followed that up with another dominant performance, defeating Switzerland 85-60. Those back-to-back wins have boosted confidence and created a sense of momentum within the squad.
On the other side, Serbia – coached by Dusan Alimpijevic, who also serves as head coach at Beşiktaş GAİN – has mirrored that strong start. Serbia began its World Cup Qualification journey by edging Switzerland 90-86 in a tight, offensively driven game. In their second outing, they survived another close contest, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 74-72. Two wins from two matches keep Serbia firmly in contention and highlight how dangerous they can be in crunch time.
There is already fresh history between these two national teams. Turkey and Serbia last met in the group phase of EuroBasket 2025, facing off in the fifth and final game of Group A. In that match, Turkey produced one of its most memorable recent performances, defeating Serbia 95-90. That result carried extra meaning: it was Turkey’s first official victory over Serbia in 15 years, breaking a long streak of frustration and delivering a psychological boost on the continental stage.
The wider story of that EuroBasket campaign also shapes expectations. Turkey advanced all the way to the final and left the tournament with a silver medal, underlining its status as a rising force in European basketball. Serbia, in contrast, exited in the Round of 16, a result that fell well short of their traditional ambitions and was widely described as a disappointment given the depth and talent of their roster.
For the upcoming international window, Ergin Ataman will once again lead Turkey as head coach. Known for his bold tactical decisions, intense sideline presence and willingness to trust players in form, Ataman has assembled a roster that blends domestic league standouts with high-level international experience. The call-up list reflects a carefully built balance between inside power, perimeter versatility and backcourt creativity.
The provisional squad is as follows:
– Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yılmaz, Şehmus Hazer (Anadolu Efes)
– Furkan Haltalı, Malachi Flynn (Bahçeşehir Koleji)
– Yiğit Arslan, Berk İbrahim Uğurlu, Sertaç Şanlı (Beşiktaş GAİN)
– Onuralp Bitim, Metecan Birsen, Tarık Biberovic (Fenerbahçe Beko)
– Can Korkmaz (Galatasaray MCT Technic)
– Yiğit Onan (Glint Manisa Basket)
– Furkan Korkmaz, Yiğitcan Saybir (TOFAŞ)
– İsmail Cem Ulusoy (Trabzonspor)
– Cedi Osman, Ömer Faruk Yurtseven (Panathinaikos AKTOR)
Within this group, Beşiktaş GAİN’s trio stands out both symbolically and tactically. Their inclusion reinforces how the club has re-established itself as a key supplier of talent to the national program. Beşiktaş, traditionally a powerhouse, has in recent years focused on building balanced rosters with strong Turkish cores, and this call-up list is clear proof that this strategy is paying off.
Sertaç Şanlı brings invaluable experience to the frontcourt. Having competed at the highest European level and in international tournaments, he offers interior scoring, pick‑and‑roll efficiency and improved rim protection. His ability to stretch the floor with mid‑range and occasional outside shooting gives Ataman additional options in spacing the floor, especially against Serbia’s physical big men.
Berk İbrahim Uğurlu adds stability and control at the point guard position. Known for his game management, disciplined decision‑making and solid defense, he can orchestrate the offense, keep the tempo where the coaching staff wants it and involve key scorers in rhythm. Against a Serbian team that likes to pressure the ball and disrupt half‑court sets, a composed ball‑handler like Berk becomes particularly important.
Yiğit Arslan, meanwhile, offers energy, versatility and perimeter shooting. Capable of defending multiple positions on the wing, he also brings reliable three‑point range and the willingness to attack closeouts. His two‑way contribution makes him a valuable rotation piece, especially in games where defensive intensity and floor spacing can swing the momentum.
The presence of Dusan Alimpijevic on the Serbian bench adds a fascinating twist. As Beşiktaş GAİN’s head coach, he knows the strengths and tendencies of Arslan, Uğurlu and Şanlı better than almost anyone. That familiarity creates a tactical chess match: Serbia may try to exploit perceived weaknesses, while Turkey will look to surprise with new roles or sets that even Alimpijevic has not seen in club settings. For the Beşiktaş players, this duel is not just an international fixture; it is also a test against the coach who guides them throughout the club season.
From a broader perspective, the strong Beşiktaş representation in the national team also signals a shift in the domestic basketball landscape. For years, certain clubs have dominated the national roster, but recent seasons have seen a more diverse distribution of contributors across top Turkish teams. Beşiktaş’s ability to place three players in a crucial international window highlights the club’s development environment and its readiness to trust Turkish players with major responsibilities.
This match against Serbia also serves as a benchmark for Turkey’s long‑term project. With EuroBasket performances raising expectations, the World Cup Qualifiers are no longer viewed as mere passages to a bigger stage; they are integral to consolidating the team’s identity. The mix of veterans like Cedi Osman and Sertaç Şanlı with rising names such as Tarık Biberovic and Onuralp Bitim shows the federation’s intent to build continuity while refreshing the roster.
Tactically, the game promises contrasting styles. Serbia relies heavily on structured half‑court offense, high‑IQ ball movement and strong fundamentals in the paint. Turkey, under Ataman, tends to emphasize pace, quick scoring bursts and aggressive defensive schemes designed to create transition opportunities. The contribution of club‑level combinations – like the passing chemistry between Uğurlu and Şanlı or the defensive cover provided by Arslan on the wing – can help Turkey execute its game plan more fluidly.
For Beşiktaş supporters, this window is an opportunity to watch their players carry the club’s spirit onto the international stage. Every rebound by Şanlı, every assist from Uğurlu and every tough defensive possession by Arslan will be seen not only as a contribution to the national cause, but also as a reflection of the work being done at Beşiktaş GAİN throughout the season.
In the long run, performances in games like the Belgrade showdown can reshape careers. A standout display against a traditional powerhouse such as Serbia can open doors to bigger roles in the national team, increase minutes at club level, and even attract attention from major European leagues. For the Beşiktaş trio, this is a chance to prove that their call‑up is not just a reward for form, but a sign that they belong at the core of Turkey’s future plans.
Whatever the final score in Belgrade, one thing is already clear: the national team now carries a noticeable Beşiktaş signature. And as Turkey continues to chase success on the international stage, the influence of Beşiktaş GAİN’s players and coaching connections is likely to grow even stronger.